Question:

My boyfriend tested NEG for HIV after it had been approx. 17 months since he last had sex with his ex-girlfriend. He took the Home Access test (FDA approved). I found something on WedMD that states that CORTICOSTEROIDS can interfere with the accuracy for HIV antibody tests. My boyfriend had a series of 3 epidural injections (corticosteroids) into his herniated disks 3 weeks prior to taking this test. They say that that drug is an immunosuppresive... could it have masked antibodies if they were present, causing the test to be wrong? I'm wondering if we should have him test again. We don't have an MD, else I would ask them. Please advise, we're trying to get pregnant.

Answer provided by:

Donna Sweet, M.D.
Professor of Internal Medicine
University of Kansas School of Medicine - Wichita

First, it is very doubtful that your boyfriend's steroid injections would have in any way affected the HIV antibody levels and the test results. With that said, however, you might feel more comfortable going to a counseling and testing center (hopefully where they are doing Rapid Testing) and get the test redone.

In addition, I would recommend that YOU have a test, as I would recommend to anyone considering pregnancy. This is now standard of care for all pregnant women and is recommended for all to ensure a healthy baby.

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